This hard working mother of 3 was hit with some inspiration last night. This inspiration came in the way of a wise speaker at Enrichment night. The inspiration was this: Uno and her brother Dos will now be expected to HELP. Yes, I'm talking about chores, chore charts, privileges, consequences, and all the pain that goes along with it. Some of you may ask why this not so new idea hasn't occurred to me before. Well smartelics...it has. But I guess I just needed to hear from someone of experience that a 4 year old and a 6 year old are capable of WORK. I'm vowing to stick with it. After all "consistency is key." I vow when it is easier for me to make the bed or fold the laundry (right)or when my new helpers are on the ground kicking and screaming because of a lack of desire or when we have to go thru an entire day without T.V./computer privileges...I will not forget what I'm teaching my children: the value of work, responsibility, teamwork, and, and lots of other valuable things (I'm sure of it).- make bed
- put dirty clothes in dirty clothes basket
- sort laundry
- pick up all belongings in the house at the end of day
- set table
- put clean clothes away
NOAH
- help Macy make bed
- put clothes in dirty clothes basket
- feed your dog
- pick up all belongings in the house at the end of day
- help unload dishwasher
- put clean clothes away
Weekly Chores
MACY
- wipe down bathroom with Clorox wipes
- vacuum room
- bring trash can in from street
NOAH
- wipe door windows clean
- vacuum room
- clean out car
Rewards
If Macy completes all chores she will be paid $1 on Saturday (give me a break folks she's 6).
If Noah completes all chores he will be allowed an exciting trip to Bashas (his choice - please see previous post).
Consequences
If Macy chooses not to help during the week, she will not be allowed a movie party on Friday nights and will probably lose all T.V. privileges, depending upon how her Mom is feeling that day (I'm losing it already....)
If Noah chooses not to help during the week, he will not be allowed a movie party on Friday nights and will lose all computer privileges, unless he's fighting with his sister all day (they can't read yet - so I figure I'm allowed some "conditional" consequences).
I, Sarah Lindsay Baum will sign here x_________________
And one, Jace Rex Baum will sign here x____________________ swearing to enforce all chores, rewards, and consequences listed above.
This document is dated May 14, 2008 and witnessed by two witnesses, namely Uno and Dos.
They seriously dressed in the aprons themselves and are carrying around clipboards/markers with all this exciting "chore" talk. They looked thrilled. How long do you think those smiles are going to last?
15 comments:
Thats such a good idea. What an exciting though to have my children have a chore regime. I bet Trin could do it, she does listen when I threaten her, but even if I made Alex sign and swear, he probably wouldn't stick to it--oh well I kinda like being the mean cop;)
Oh my gosh!! I am dying laughing:) I can just picture Noah Baum in his little apron doing the vacumming and yelling at his dog to come and eat. That was the cutest post ever. Quite a good idea as well, maybe I should start Zane on some chores.
That is hilarious. Im proud of that post and hope I can be that way with my kids. You are too funny Lindsay. Hot dog is going to be thrilled.
Hey Lindsey! I am so glad you have a blog!!! I miss your visting teaching visits....anywho...can't stop laughing at this blog!!! Jason and I just started little MR. Crew on his first Chore Chart Money Making experience...after he proclaimed he needed money to go shopping....and he only gets a whopping $1 at the end of the week too!!! Hey, I can't let him break the bank at 4!!! Anywho, keep in touch!!! Shanda
i was laughing pretty good about Noah wanting to go to Bashas' as a reward for doing his work. Seriously, doesn't he get to go anyways? That's so funny. I wish I had a chore list still...cuz pretty much I put everything off until I finally have to spend forever cleaning. NYC is dirty and nasty...endless dust and grime everywhere. Who even knows where it comes from!?!? maybe the homeless people.
thats awesome! I think my mom needs to do that with the 14 and 16 yr olds running around our house. They still havent learned to get their clothes out of the bathroom when they are done showering. Glad enrichment night could be enlightening for you. Keep us posted on this in a few months. I'm sure Macy will have a savings already started. You were always pretty good with that. Putting money in a little brown bag in your dresser :) hehe
You can totally tell we come from the same mother...my kids chores are identical to yours. I just hope your Macy doesn't give you the same attitude you gave Mom. ;)
Good luck!! I am not excited for the chore thing, but first we have to have kids. Gosh, I can't even get Ross do help out. I'm doomed!! but good luck. I hope it works out.
It works! I have been making the girls make their beds everyday, pick up the playroom, bring me their laundry, do dishes, feed the dog and clean up the poop in the back yard! They do a pretty good job until someone wants to watch tv or go outside and play. They do get things taken away too! They appreciate the dollar store a lot more now that they have a few dollars to spend, or the dollar section at Target! Good luck, it really does work!
Lindsay, thanks for swinging by our blog. Meghan does almost all of the postings, so I guess that I, too, am a Frost family blog stalker. I enjoyed checking up on your whereabouts. You're a very entertaining writer. You have a great-looking family and obviously have a lot going on. Keep up the good work and say hi to your family for me.
Good for you, Lindsay! I too recently came to the realization that my kids needed chores. I'd spent the whole day cleaning cleaning house only to discover the boys (not David--just Connor and Holden :) throwing rice at each other and all over the kitchen. I was NOT. HAPPY. I sat them down and gave them a 'this is how it's going to be from now on so you'll learn to respect hard work' talk, and so far things are going pretty well. Maybe I should throw some clipboards and aprons into the mix! I'm glad you guys can come over on Sunday! Don't bring anything, just yourselves. We're totally open schedule-wise, but if you guys can be here at 3:00, then the earlier the better--it'll give the kids more time to play. I hope you have fun in the Valley and I'll see y'all on Sunday!
Oops, me again. I know Noah's allergic to dairy, but are there any other foods you guys don't like/can't eat?
AWESOME!!! Keep us updated on how it works out! I have had similar feelings about the need for children to help carry the load. And of course with such cute kids I am sure it would be very easy to let them get away with murder..well maybe not murder...but you know. Anyways...GOOD LUCK!!!
Hey, found the flip flop. Feel free to swing by or send Jace if you need it. Otherwise, I'll bring it to you the next time I come down your way (probably next week). I hope Ezra's feeling better!
Ok well good luck with this! I am struggling with my 5 year old. I have tried picture chore charts, treats, rewards, presents, threats, more threats and all kinds of other stuff. Im so open to suggestions for her.
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